Patch panel Quality?

[r1-er]

Hello all, first post!!!

I am the proud owner of a 1959 hard top basket case. The car is pretty much torn down (bought it that way) and I'm in the process of repairing rust holes.

The body is in fair shape. I've already patched the passenger floorboard and my next step is the passenger side rear floorboard and the lower rear fenders.

My question is: Are all patch panels made alike? There are a number of vendors that sell patch panels for the '59, but do all these vendors get the metal from the same supplier? I can't imagine that there are many shops with dies to stamp parts out for a '59 t-bird.

My concern comes from my first sheetmetal purchase. I bought the passenger side floorpan off ebay for cheap...think $50.00 or something, but when I got it and compared it to the original, the "stamped' ribs came nowhere near looking original. Yes, it filled the hole, but I still didn't like it. And fit will be much more critical on the fender panels, so I want to make sure I buy some that are as close to original as possible.

Anyway, let me know if you have any info or have purchased these patch panels and have been happy with them so I have an idea on where to go.

Thanks for any info,

Dennis.

[JohnG]

hi Dennis

If I had to do body work I would share your concerns and seriously doubt the quality was uniform among vendors.

While I don't have personal experience buying body parts, the following supplier might be where I would start as he seems to make a concerted effort to come up with original dies when possible, or high quality replacements:

http://www.dennis-carpenter.com/

The other thing you might do is find some shops that have done a number of Squarebird restorations and ask them what suppliers they like. I recall talking with Pat Wilson Thunderbird in NJ about parts and the guy mentioned they also restored Squarebirds, so I might begin with them to get an opinion. (http://www.wilsontbird.com/)

John

[YellowRose]

Patch panel Quality?

Hi Dennis, and welcome to Squarebirds! There are two other companies that market patch panels for our Birds. Look at www.larrystbird.com
Larry's Thunderbird Parts, 800-854-0393. Then Thunderbird Hqs, 800-227-2174 www.tbirdhq.com another parts place that markets patch panels for our Birds and other parts. There might be other Tbird parts places also have them. At least this will give you two additional sources to check out.

[r1-er]

Hi Dennis, and welcome to Squarebirds! There are two other companies that market patch panels for our Birds. Look at www.larrystbird.com
Larry's Thunderbird Parts, 800-854-0393. Then Thunderbird Hqs, 800-227-2174 www.tbirdhq.com another parts place that markets patch panels for our Birds and other parts. There might be other Tbird parts places also have them. At least this will give you two additional sources to check out.

Thanks for the info...

I've checked out about 4-5 websites that carry the patch panels that I require, and the cost is generally within $25.00 of each other for each panel. I still don't know if there is a quality difference between suppliers...

Anyone on this site purchased a fender panel from any of the suppliers listed above that can give feedback on quality?

[Guest]

Welcome to the site.I purchased a right front quarter panel from TBird HQs and was very satisfied with it.Good heavy gauge steel and fit perfectly.